Cape Town, Wednesday — South Africa’s new unity government, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, began its tenure as ministers were sworn in during a televised ceremony in Cape Town. This follows weeks of intense coalition negotiations.
Paul Mashatile, re-appointed as deputy president, was the first among the 32 new cabinet ministers to take the oath.
On Sunday, 71-year-old Ramaphosa revealed his coalition government, which includes the leader of the former main opposition party, and sees an increase in ministries from 30 to 32, alongside 43 deputy ministers.
After losing its outright parliamentary majority in the May 29 elections, the African National Congress (ANC), which has ruled since the dawn of democracy in 1994, aimed to form a government of national unity. The ANC retains 20 cabinet positions, including key ministries such as foreign affairs, finance, defence, justice, and police.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), the largest coalition partner and a long-time critic of the ANC, will lead six ministries, including agriculture, public works, and communication. DA leader John Steenhuisen, 48, has been appointed agriculture minister. Steenhuisen and his party have previously criticised the ANC for failing to address issues like high violent crime rates, a struggling economy, and a severe energy crisis.
Additionally, the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party, the anti-immigration Patriotic Alliance, the right-wing Afrikaans party Freedom Front Plus, and other smaller parties will hold six cabinet positions among them.
This new government represents a pragmatic shift towards the centre-right, offering hope for improved governance while raising concerns about potential cohesion challenges.
Ramaphosa has faced criticism from opposition and business leaders over the increased number of ministers, with fears that the government could become inefficient and a burden on taxpayers.
The leftist Economic Freedom Fighters expressed concern over the expanded cabinet, stating that it "signals more pressure on taxpayers."
Post a Comment